little one

Posted on December 29, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (29)devotional post # 2245

Numbers 2:5-6

Num 2:5  Those to camp next to him will be the tribe of Issachar, the general from the sons of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Tsuar,
Num 2:6  his company as mustered being 54,400.

little one

General Nethanel came from the family of Tsuar, whose name meant “little one.” Theirs was not the smallest tribe, so his name probably reflects his stature, at least at birth. Tsuar probably faced a few giants in his life, and learned to lean on God’s stature instead of his own. Leadership always requires us to trust beyond our abilities and strength.

LORD, thank you that size does not matter when we are following your call. Our littleness is matched by your mightiness.

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my relative is noble

Posted on December 28, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (28)devotional post # 2244

Numbers 2:1-4

Num 2:1  Yahveh spoke to Moses and Aaron, and this is what he said,
Num 2:2  “The sons of Israel will camp each by his own standard, with the flags of their fathers’ houses. They will camp around the conference tent at a distance.
Num 2:3  Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise will be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the general from the people of Judah being Nachshon the son of Amminadab,
Num 2:4  his company as mustered being 74,600.

my relative is noble

General Nachshon’s father was Amminadab, whose name means “my relative is noble.” Although Judah was not perfect, he did establish a family that our Lord chose to enter into this world as a part of. The first army of the emerging nation of the Israelites was led by noble stock.

LORD, thank you for our families. Although none of us is perfect, you have chosen to bless us with them, and commanded us to be a blessing to them.

Posted in family, Judah | Tagged | 1 Comment

layers of security

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (27)devotional post # 2243

Numbers 1:52-54

Num 1:52  The sons of Israel will camp by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard.
Num 1:53  But the Levites will camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel. And the Levites will keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.”
Num 1:54  This is what the sons of Israel did; they did according to all that Yahveh had commanded Moses.

layers of security

The tabernacle was surrounded on all sides by the tribes of Israel, and each tribe was protected by a outer layer of soldiers, encamped near the standard of their respective tribe. These soldiers were charged with protecting the tribes they belonged to.

But there was an inner layer of soldiers — Levites — surrounding the tabernacle of the testimony itself. These were charged with protecting the symbol of God’s presence among them.

For a society to operate well, there must be a defense force protecting the people from outside harm. But there must also be protection for the spiritual aspect of that society as well. If a society ignores the central focus of prayer and worship of the one true God, no amount of money spent on its external defense will give that society security.

The same is true of families, and individuals. We all need both layers of security.

FATHER GOD, restore our capacity to protect ourselves through prayer and worship.

Posted in prayer, protection, worship | Tagged | 1 Comment

conscientious affirmers

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (26)devotional post # 2242

Numbers 1:47-51

Num 1:47  But the Levites were not mustered along with them by their ancestral tribe.
Num 1:48  Because Yahveh spoke to Moses, and this is what he said,
Num 1:49  “The tribe of Levi is the only exception you will not muster, and you will not take a head count of them among the sons of Israel.
Num 1:50  But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furniture, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furniture, and they will take care of it and will camp around the tabernacle.
Num 1:51  When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites will take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites will set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he will be put to death.

conscientious affirmers

Like conscientious objectors during a war-time draft, the Levites were excluded for religious purposes. But unlike them, the Levites were not excluded because they opposed war. No, the Levites were actually charged with the responsibility of protecting the tabernacle. If anyone who was ceremonially unclean dared to enter the tabernacle, the Levites had to put them to death.

The Levites were conscientious affirmers. They affirmed the holiness and significance of their presence of God among their people — as symbolized by the tabernacle. Unlike the tribal armies, the Levites were not just called to defend during time of war. They always had to maintain the tabernacle structure.

LORD, give us the diligence of the Levites — always ready to affirm your presence, and defend your holiness among us.

Posted in holiness, presence of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

the warrior child

Posted on December 25, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (25)devotional post # 2241

Numbers 1:44-46

Num 1:44  These are those who were mustered, whom Moses and Aaron mustered with the help of the generals of Israel, twelve men, each representing his fathers’ house.
Num 1:45  So all those mustered of the people of Israel, by their fathers’ houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel–
Num 1:46  all those mustered were 603,550.

the warrior child

These 603,550 men were chosen to represent their fathers’ houses when war came to the camp. They were the best that their leaders could get — the most able, the most courageous.

Who represented God’s house when war came to the world? It was his only Son — Jesus.  As much as we wrap Christmas in fancy wrappers and display it with shining lights, it is still a story of a warrior come to deliver. He is the prince of peace because he came to wage war against the Adversary — and defeat him. He came to destroy the works of the devil.

LORD, we thank you for the warrior child whose birth we celebrate this day. He represents your house — and came to rescue your family.

Posted in Christmas, Jesus Christ | Tagged | 1 Comment

standing alone

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (24)devotional post # 2240

Numbers 1:42-43

Num 1:42  Of the sons of Naphtali, referencing their historical lineage, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:
Num 1:43  those mustered of the tribe of Naphtali were 53,400.

standing alone

53,400 soldiers follower General Achira, whose name means “my brother is evil.” What an unfortunate name to have. But it is a reminder that there are times when we will have to rely on God, because our brothers and sisters will not help us. There is a time to stand together, and there is a time to stand alone.

God, give us the fellowship of others who will stand with us when we stand with you. But give us the courage to stand alone if that is your plan.

Posted in commitment, loyalty | Tagged | 1 Comment

remembering and resolving

Posted on December 23, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (23)devotional post # 2239

Numbers 1:40-41

Num 1:40  Of the sons of Asher, referencing their historical lineage, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:
Num 1:41  those mustered of the tribe of Asher were 41,500.

remembering and resolving

41,500 soldiers followed Pagiel, whose name means “event from God” and commemorated the exodus. God showed his mighty hand in rescuing his people from bondage. The memory of what God had done for the Israelites became a source of encouragement for these troops, who would be called on to fight for him, and for themselves.

LORD, remind us of those events in which you have displayed your power and grace, and strengthen our resolve to be the people you want us to be.

Posted in courage, encouragement | Tagged | 1 Comment

team players

Posted on December 22, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (22)devotional post # 2238

Num 1:38  Of the sons of Dan, referencing their historical lineage, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:
Num 1:39  those mustered of the tribe of Dan were 62,700.

team players

62,700 Danites followed general Achiezer, whose name means “my brother is a help.” The name encouraged teamwork, and commitment to the whole group. In spiritual warfare, God’s people need to help one another. We need fewer superstars who can do anything, and more team players who support one another.

LORD, empower us to support one another so that the whole church wins. Help us to help one another.

Posted in cooperation, prayer, unity | Tagged | 1 Comment

targeting his will

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (21)devotional post # 2237

Numbers 1:36-37

Num 1:36  Of the sons of Benjamin, referencing their historical lineage, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:
Num 1:37  those mustered of the tribe of Benjamin were 35,400.

targeting his will

35,400 men from Benjamin’s line followed general Abidan. The name says “my Father is judge.” It reflects a belief that our heavenly Father oversees the affairs of humanity and will see to it that justice occurs.

Spiritual warfare, like the physical kind — requires the warrior to look beyond his own needs and defer to the needs of the family. Likewise, when we go to our prayer rooms, we will be asked to take on the battles facing our whole community, and seek our father’s will. We pray first for our Father’s will to be done.

LORD, show us how to target your will in our prayers.

Posted in prayer, submission | Tagged | 1 Comment

his reward

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Jefferson Vann

marmsky December 2017 (20)devotional post # 2236

Numbers 1:34-35

Num 1:34  Of the sons of Manasseh, referencing their historical lineage, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:
Num 1:35  those mustered of the tribe of Manasseh were 32,200.

his reward

Gamliel means “reward of God” or “my reward is God” and reflects the trust in the God of the Bible to respond to our commitment to him. Joseph learned this lesson in a pit, and in prison. He stayed faithful to God despite the things he suffered and God heard and rewarded his faithfulness.

There are times that we will suffer and be wronged. When we endure those times and stay faithful to God, he is honored by our commitment. In the end, we will find that God rewards us to a far greater extent than the degree to which we suffered.

LORD, thank you for your faithfulness to us, and your response to our faithfulness.

Posted in commitment, faithfulness, suffering | Tagged | 1 Comment